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So far Kelly Smith has created 10 blog entries.
17 10, 2018

Aluminum Extrusions Provide Healthcare Solutions

2018-10-17T18:35:39+00:00October 17th, 2018|

Aluminum extrusions have countless benefits, almost all of which can benefit the medical and healthcare industry. Aluminum extrusions for the healthcare industry allow for flexible designs that can help meet very specific needs.

All patients are unique, so the machines, devices, and tools needed for the healthcare industry also vary dramatically. Aluminum extrusions make highly specialized parts that are designed to fit these very specific needs. From oversized aluminum extrusions to micro extrusions, we will review why aluminum is an ideal choice for medical products.

Why choose aluminum extrusions for the healthcare industry?

In 2016, health spending per person in the U.S. was $10,348 and made up 18% of the GDP. By lowering the cost of healthcare equipment and devices,  creating savings for both providers and patients. Some benefits of using aluminum extrusions are as follows:

  • Aluminum is non-magnetic, non-sparking and inert
  • Durable – Post extrusion processes help make medical devices resistant to the environment, chemicals, and abrasiveness, allowing for products that have long-lasting strength and reliability.
  • Flexible design – With modern technology, medical devices are often electronic and computer- This means that these machines need very specialized, small parts. Aluminum extrusions allow for highly specific designs to meet these needs.
  • Lower costs – As mentioned before, aluminum extrusions can achieve desired performance at a fraction of the cost because of lower material costs. As technology improves and becomes more affordable, so do the devices that are used in tandem with them (i.e. fibre optic cables, sensors, stints, etc.)
  • Alumimum extrusions are key components in patient handling systems as well as patient care systems example https://www.hill-rom.com/usa/Products/Category/Patient-Handling/ these systems create a safer, better patient experience while decreasing the load requirements on the caregiver.

Case Example:

Leading Company’s Modern IGRT/IRMT Solution

Modern IGRT/IRMT MRI Machine

Previously, 64 mechanical ‘leaves’ in the machine were coupled with pneumatic actuators, opening and closing to deliver a prescribed radiation dosage. Occasionally, these couplings would break and cause the machine to shut down. The objective was to redesign these couplings to improve the system’s up-time while reducing part costs and manufacturing complexity. This is where aluminum extrusions came in.

Rather than using EDM steel coupling, they were replaced with aluminum extrusions (6063 alloys that were hard coat anodized). They tweaked the parts’ design for improved strength and durability and, as a result, there were no failures throughout a 10 million cycle test regimen. Overall, this ‘snap fit’ assembly cut labor by 30 to 60 minutes per assembly and cut component manufacturing costs by nearly 90%.

How Taber can provide you healthcare solutions?

Taber Extrusions wants to lead the way in supporting medical component manufacturers with their aluminum extrusion needs. Taber offers a

Take our work in microextrusions for medical devices for example. We have helped companies that create life-saving devices and want to continue to expand our collaborations in this industry. ‘Good products at low costs’ is what Taber tries to provide to its customers and the healthcare industry is the perfect place to do that.

About Taber Extrusions

Founded in 1973, Taber Extrusions originally pioneered a process for extruding rectangular billet which enables the company to extrude solid profiles up to 31 inches wide or hollows up to 29 inches. Taber expanded with the purchase of an extrusion facility in Gulfport, MS in 1995 which houses a new state of the art cast house, two additional presses, and a fabrication area that has been expanded multiple times. Taber continues to extrude billet in a wide range of alloys. and sizes.

Taber Extrusions recently expand their capabilities to include ultra-precision aluminum extrusions®. To learn more about how we can be of service visit: https://taberextrusions.com/   For inquiries or quotes visit: https://taberextrusions.com/contact-us/

Follow Taber Extrusions

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/8843183/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/taberextrusions/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/taberextrusions

Interested in becoming a part of the Taber Team?  Submit your resume to careers@taberextrusions.com.

9 10, 2018

IN FOCUS: Mike Keenan

2024-11-21T21:56:25+00:00October 9th, 2018|

Your formal title at Taber

Plant Manager

Your job duties & responsibilities

Presently responsible for all manufacturing activities for the Taber Gulfport location.

How long have you been at Taber?

May 8, 2018 made 40 years. I started in Extrusion as a helper. After a couple of years was lucky enough to be selected for a Tool and Die Maker apprenticeship program; learning to build extrusion dies. After 8 years I moved back to Extrusion as a Shift Supervisor; then to Fabrication, later Production Control/Shipping and finally into Operations Management.

Where did you work prior to Taber; was it in the same industry or something totally different?

I came to the Gulfport plant for a summer job after finishing JR College and never left.  Prior to that I was a Short Order Cook thru high school and college. This is basically the only place I have worked as an adult.

When you’re not at work, what would we find you doing?

In my off time I enjoy fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and spending time with our local grandchildren. When there is time for travel my favorite destination is anywhere in the Caribbean. As well as the Smoky Mountains.

Hometown?

I grew up and have lived most of my life in Long Beach, MS. I have never lived anywhere off the Mississippi Coast.

Family, children? 

My Wife Sharon and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary in June of this year. We have 6 children who are all grown. 2 are mine, 2 are hers, and 2 we informally adopted after we decided not have children of our own.  We have 6 grandchildren and are expecting the arrival of 2 more around the end of this year.

What would “your perfect day” consist of? 

Wade fishing for Speckled Trout around the barrier islands off the Mississippi coast with my son’s.   Then having a fish fry if we returned with a good catch.

What’s your favorite part about working for Taber so far?

The Gulfport plant has a very diverse customer base. It is something different just about every day. Also working with my co-workers. Many who have been at Taber for many years. Seeing products develop from a customer drawing to a finished product for our customers is very rewarding.

What sets Taber apart from other companies that deliver the exact same things?

Taber is different than most extruders. Between the two plants we have very broad capabilities. WE manufacture products that other extruders would not even consider.  The upgrade to the Cast House is also a huge advantage.  We are fully captive and self-supporting from a raw material perspective.

 We will always be impacted by the worldwide aluminum market. However; when you consider the recent “billet shortage” we were able to keep our plants supplied with billet where some other companies in our industry have really struggled to keep their raw material supply chain full without business interruptions.

What do you hope to bring to Taber in terms of leadership and company culture?

I have always tried to lead by example. I am hands on and want to be involved and help our management team be successful. We are all linked together and each member of management has a very important role leading to the success and longevity of Taber. I always want to be available to help fill in the gaps where needed.

If you weren’t working for Taber, what job would you probably have?

More than likely working for or owning a machine shop. Both My Father and Grand Father worked at the Gulfport Plant. My Father a Tool and Die Maker and My Grandfather a Machinist. Earlier in my working career I was a Tool and Die Maker at the plant; building extrusion dies. It is something I really enjoyed; building something from a piece of steel and seeing how the finished product performed. When I retire perhaps I can take that back up as a hobby?

What do you think the future holds for Taber?

The future of Taber looks very bright. With the support of National Material WE continue to position ourselves with capabilities that separate Taber from a lot of our competitors. Modern Billet Casting, Micro Extrusion, Fabrication Capabilities, a Broad range of alloy offers and press container sizes. All of this enables us to change and evolve with the everchanging worldwide aluminum market.

3 10, 2018

Achieving a Shiny Finish: How Aluminum Accepts a Variety of Finishes

2018-10-03T16:19:48+00:00October 3rd, 2018|

The applications for aluminum alloys are varied, but for many projects, such as with infrastructure or medical products, the appearance of the final product counts. This means that having a variety of aluminum surface finishes creates more possibilities for what an aluminum extrusion can do. We will review what surface treatments provide and the different types of finishes available in the industry.

What advantages do aluminum surface treatments provide?  

Often just seen as a means of corrosion protection, these treatments can drastically impact a variety of conditions and properties. Such changes include:

  • Altering surface hardness and abrasion resistance
  • Appearance
  • Coating adhesion like paints, varnish, and bonding adhesives
  • Providing protection from corrosion and durability

What types of aluminum surface finishes are there?

No matter the application, aluminum and its alloys provide the advantage of having a naturally hard and inert surface oxide layer. This layer is formed in aerated water and air and then re-forms when the metal is cut. Subsequently, the oxide film allows aluminum and its alloys to have minimal corrosion.

The surface finishes for aluminum fall into three main groups: anodizing, powder paint and liquid paint. Though not as common, there are other surface finishes which include mechanical finishes, pretreatment, and sublimation.

The Big Three: Anodizing, powder coating, and wet coating

  • Anodizing – Adding further protection beyond the natural oxide film, this electrochemical process provides durability to the aluminum. Anodized aluminum can accept vibrant colors and any aluminum alloy can be anodized. 
  • Powder Paint– This process leaves behind a film that meets intense performance criteria. For example, there are many environmental regulations that prevent the use of VOCs which powder coating does not contain. It is applied as a solid, and when going through and over, the solid particles fuse to form the film.

Liquid Paint – Varying in color, this film provides uniform thickness. Unlike powder coating, they do contain VOCs but they are driven off during the baking process. When these VOCs are removed, the volume solids form a film on the extrusion.

aluminum tree with wood on one side of the background and rows of steel on the other side

Other aluminum surface finishes:

  • Mechanical finishes – Aluminum and aluminum alloys can be buffed, polished, blasted, sanded, or grinded. This is typically done in order to improve the surface quality of the extrusion in order to prepare it for further cosmetic finishes.
  • Pretreatment – This surface finish is done by either etching or cleaning the profile with alkaline or acidic materials. Following the cleaning, a pretreatment coating is applied which enhances paint or powder adhesion, thus providing stronger resistance against corrosion.
  • Sublimation – This technique is rarely implemented but is becoming more common over time. Sublimation makes an aluminum alloy look like wood of all things! First, a base coat of powder is applied and then the extrusions go through sublimation. Then technicians place a thin film with a pattern on it around the profile. With the sublimation process, the wood pattern is directly transferred onto the extrusion.

Taber Extrusions knows what it takes to produce the top-quality extrusions with the best possible finishes. We offer a variety of surface finishes and work closely with our customers to achieve products that are not only reliable and functional but good looking.

To learn more about how we can be of service visit: https://taberextrusions.com/

For inquiries or quotes visit: https://taberextrusions.com/contact-us/

Follow Taber Extrusions

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/8843183/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/taberextrusions/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/taberextrusions

Interested in becoming a part of the Taber Team?

Submit your resume to careers@taberextrusions.com.

28 08, 2018

Microextrusions for Consumer Electronics

2018-08-28T19:36:35+00:00August 28th, 2018|

Are you familiar with Moore’s Law?

It’s an observation made by Gordon Moore, cofounder of Intel. It posits that the number of transistors in a dense integrated circuit doubles every two years. Put simply, this means that computer hardware, as it becomes more complex, also becomes smaller.

You’ve seen it firsthand. Compare the bulky first smartphone you purchased back in 2007 to the shiny new smartphone you have in your pocket right now. It’s thinner, bigger, and packs WAY more energy-per-gram than it did a decade ago.

As tech companies are in a constant race to make things micro-sized, industrial OEMS must seek out new technologies to keep up.

Enter microextrusions – a recent process that delivers features, tolerances, and surface finishes previously believed to be impossible. Advancement in microextrusion allows design engineers the freedom to utilize component designs in microextrusion which enhance functionality and performance beyond normal extruded parts.

Below, we outline some different aspects of consumer electronics that rely on precision aluminum extrusions in their designs.

CPU HEAT SINKS

The CPU (central processing unit) is akin to the brain of the computer – it performs the arithmetic, logic, and I/O operations based on the instructions from other computer components. This heavy workload leaves CPUs prone to overheating, and as such, require a heat sink to disperse heat and keep the component cool.

Advancements in microextrusion technology allow for heat sink designs to disperse heat even more effectively. Keeping your CPU at a good operating temperature is essential for long-term performance!

MOTHERBOARDS

Microextrusions are used in motherboards to create housing for ethernet and USB ports, as well as housing for DVI, HDMI, and sound input and output ports.

Microextrusions are also used for the crucial CPU socket, which often uses a latch to securely house the CPU and attach it to the motherboard.

GRAPHICS PROCESSING UNITS

Graphics cards, such as NVIDIA’s recent Titan V, are often housed in an aluminum shell to keep the internals of the GPU safe and secure (and it looks absolutely stunning to boot!).

HARD DRIVE BAYS

Most modern hard drives come with mounting brackets, and are housed in a computer case by sliding them through an extruded aluminum hard drive bay. This keeps them secure during operation – hard drives are very susceptible to damage from physical shock, so keeping them secure is important!

LED PROFILE BAYS

LED lights are often housed in microextruded profile bays – the extremely fine materials and plastics used to create it allow the LED lights to shine through while also keeping them protected from the environments.

EXTRUDED ENCLOSURES

Since consumer electronics often make use of sensitive magnets, aluminum is perfectly suited to house those components. This is because aluminum does not spark, melt, or rust, and can be customized to fit the need of any product.

About Taber Extrusions

Founded in 1973, Taber Extrusions originally pioneered a process for extruding rectangular billet which enables the company to extrude solid profiles up to 31 inches wide or hollows up to 29 inches. Taber expanded with the purchase of an extrusion facility in Gulfport, MS in 1995 which houses a new state of the art cast house, two additional presses, and a fabrication area that has been expanded multiple times. Taber continues to extrude billet in a wide range of alloys. and sizes.

Taber Extrusions has recently enhanced its portfolio of services with the addition of ultra-precision aluminum extrusions®. Today, Taber Extrusions is proud of its full line up offering of extruded aluminum components, value-added machining services and raw material supply to the North American market.

Follow Taber Extrusions

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/8843183/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/taberextrusions/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/taberextrusions

Interested in becoming a part of the Taber Team?  Submit your resume to careers@taberextrusions.com.

16 08, 2018

How Aluminum Extrusions Make Public Transport More Efficient

2018-08-16T16:46:15+00:00August 16th, 2018|

People today are becoming increasingly conscious of the energy they use and look for ways to be more conservative. For many, this draws them to use public transportation for its notable efficiency. But how can the public transportation itself become more efficient? The answer is aluminum. The use of aluminum extrusions in constructing public transport provides a number of benefits to a wide variety of vehicle types.

How do aluminum extrusions make public transport more efficient?

Aluminum is durable, light, and strong, making it the preferred material for public transportation. Some of the ways it increases efficiency are:

  • High strength-to-weight ratio: The efficiency of railways and subways depends greatly on trying to decrease weight in order to reduce friction. Aluminum extrusions are very lightweight yet still strong compared to other metals. This reduced weight also leads to…
  • Reduced fuel consumption: The lighter the vehicle, the less energy that is required to power it. Additionally, with a lighter vehicle structure, the vehicles can handle increased passenger and cargo weight. This significantly reduces the amount of fuel used per person (especially when compared with motor vehicles).
  • Long operating life and recyclable: Aluminum has the ability to withstand corrosion much better than many other metals. This reduces risk of rust or wear and tear on the public transport vehicles which means they can be in operation for longer periods of time. Also, because aluminum is malleable, any excess material from construction is fully recyclable.

Does it vary by type of transportation?  

The previously described efficiencies are applicable to almost any public transport operation but there can be individual advantages depending on the vehicle type:

  • Trains and subway vehicles: Aluminum extrusions are used in the construction of both freight and passenger trains. For passenger trains, they are frequently made from a single aluminum extrusion that are the entire length of the car (75+ feet long). Individual parts are welded together with horizontal members around the doors and windows reinforcing the vehicle. With minimized parts and a simple assembly, the manufacturing becomes more efficient with a lighter and more aerodynamic final product.
  • Buses: Buses built from aluminum bodies are several hundred kilograms lighter than traditional construction. This increases the number of people transported per given maximum permitted weight, reducing costs for operating the bus. Because some buses travel great distance and often make frequent stops and starts, efficiency is extremely important.

Which alloys are used for public transportation?

The characteristics that make aluminum alloys ideal for public transport projects are that they are lightweight, strong, weldable, corrosion resistant, and easy to fabricate. The 5xxx and 6xxx aluminum series most closely fit this bill. Sheet metals commonly used are the 5052, 5083, 5086, 5454, and 6061. For extrusions, the 5083, 6061, and 7005 are commonly used. Because of the diversity of alloys in these series, there are extrusions available for almost any public transport project’s need.

Taber Extrusions knows what it takes to produce the top-quality extrusions required for public transportation projects. Our capability of producing very large aluminum shapes in our Russellville, AR facility with our rectangular and large round containers allows us to supply our customers with some of the heaviest solid profiles, and widest, most complex multi-void hollow profiles in the industry. Taber’s vertically integrated billet casting operations allows Taber to extrude a wide variety of alloys and profiles for the transport industry.

To learn more about how we can be of service visit: https://taberextrusions.com/

For inquiries or quotes visit: https://taberextrusions.com/contact-us/

Follow Taber Extrusions

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/8843183/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/taberextrusions/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/taberextrusions

Interested in becoming a part of the Taber Team?  Submit your resume to careers@taberextrusions.com.

1 08, 2018

Aluminum Extrusions for the Space Industry

2018-08-01T17:11:04+00:00August 1st, 2018|

Aluminum Extrusions for the Space Industry

Followers of our blog, no doubt, know that aluminum alloys are a critically important material for the aerospace industry. The same is true for the ever-developing world of spacecraft manufacturing. They require materials that can withstand intense vibrations and the unique hazards of space. To this end, aluminum provides the perfect answer.

Since Sputnik was launched more than half a century ago, aluminum has been the go-to material for space vehicles and structures. It’s remarkable light weight, high-strength, mechanical stability and dampening properties exceed other materials and make it the first choice for spacecraft – from the International Space Station and the Mars Curiosity Rover, to the spacecraft of the future like NASA’s Orion project. All modern spacecraft are made from anywhere between 50-to-90% aluminum alloy.

Hazards of Space

The extreme environment of space presents unparalleled challenges to engineers, as they must build structures in space that can operate within its harsh conditions. This is what is called a material’s environment stability – this means that the material can remain stable while being subjected to radiation and the vacuum of space.

Some of the hazards that must be accounted for include:

Radiation/cosmic rays

Aluminum is often used as a shielding material that absorbs radiation from stars. Space radiation can cause direct damage to an astronaut’s DNA and cells. Aluminum can absorb up to half of the radiation being emitted, bringing it down to non-threatening levels for the space crew.

Wild fluctuations between heat (250°F) and cold (-200°F)

The temperature of space is varying constantly, depending on where you are within it. This constant flux in temperature causes materials used in spacecraft to consistently expand and contract. Aluminum’s dimensional stability allows it to maintain its shape and size despite the changing temperature. 

Space debris

Spacecraft are constantly peppered with objects that are floating through space, including micro-asteroids, meteorites, and comets. Aluminum’s strength and rigidity allow it to maintain it’s structural integrity to these types of hazards.

Launch and re-entry

During the launch and re-entry sequence of space travel, the materials that comprise the spacecraft will be put under stresses that exceed three times the force of gravity – effectively making it weigh three times as much as it would in Earth’s gravity. As such, the material must be able to maintain its structural integrity and resist bending or breaking, lest it fall apart on the launchpad. 

How is aluminum used in modern spacecraft?

Below, we review some of the major modern spacecraft, and how each utilizes aluminum alloys. Beyond being made of mostly space-grade aluminum, these craft use aluminum in some ingenious and unorthodox ways.

INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION

The exposed exterior metal of the station is anodized, or otherwise coated for thermal efficiency and to prevent atomic oxygen reactions that occur in the vacuum of space. Also found on the exterior are aluminum whipped shields that absorb the impacts of space debris. In addition, each of the Node modules later added to the craft were made from single blocks of aluminum. In the interior of the station, most objects are made from aluminum for similar weight-saving purposes.

 MARS CURIOSITY ROVER

Several components of the Mars Curiosity Rover’s launch vessel were made from aluminum. The launch vessel’s core was made from an aluminum structure that was sandwiched between graphite-epoxy face sheets. The parachute deployment mechanism, which slowed the Rover’s descent onto the Martian surface, was hand forged from an aluminum billet. The frame and wheels of the nine-foot-long, 1,875 lb. Curiosity Rover itself are made of aluminum, as well. “NASA could not have made it to the surface of Mars without aluminum.” Dr. John Grotzinger Chief Scientist and Head of Strategic Planning for the 2012 Mars Rover mission.

SPACE X’S FALCON 9

The fuel tanks of the Falcon 9 are made from an aluminum-lithium alloy, which is an aluminum that has been infused with lithium. The Falcon 9 is a two-stage spacecraft. Inside both stages are aluminum-dome-tipped tanks, which store the fuel used to launch.  The first stage engines are gradually throttled near the end of first-stage flight to limit launch vehicle acceleration as the rocket’s mass decreases with the burning of fuel. The second stage delivers Falcon 9’s payload to the desired orbit. Like the first stage, the second stage is made from a high-strength aluminum-lithium alloy.

VOYAGER 2

Quite famously, common household aluminum foil was used to save the Voyager 2 mission very late in the development process. The probe was going to pass Jupiter in 1979, a year and a half into it’s mission. The probe was going to slingshot using Jupiter’s gravitational pull and propel itself towards Saturn. There was a slight problem, though – Jupiter’s magnetic field and emitted radiation were very likely to fry most of the internal systems of the Voyager 2 probe, rendering the entire mission useless. The cables onboard the craft needed to be shielded to avoid damage from radiation. Due to the unique planetary arrangement at the time, which only happens once every 175 years, the Voyager team could not delay the mission. Doing so would lose them both their opportunity and billions of dollars. Without the time to do proper due diligence, they instead sent one of their technicians to a local supermarket to by all the kitchen-grade aluminum that they had available. They wiped down the foil with alcohol and exposed it to every exposed cable on the craft. This last-minute addition to the craft ensured the success of the mission!

ORION

NASA’s Orion MPCV (Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle) will serve as the next-generation space exploration vehicle. The primary structures of the Orion spacecraft are made from an aluminum-lithium alloy and will be covered by an advanced version of the thermal protection tiles used on the space shuttle.

About Taber Extrusions

Founded in 1973, Taber Extrusions originally pioneered a process for extruding rectangular billet which enables the company to extrude solid profiles up to 31 inches wide or hollows up to 29 inches. Taber expanded with the purchase of an extrusion facility in Gulfport, MS in 1995 which houses a new state of the art cast house, two additional presses, and a fabrication area that has been expanded multiple times. Taber continues to extrude billet in a wide range of alloys and sizes.

Your full service partner from start to finish, Taber is proud to announce expanded capabilities to include ultra-precision aluminum extrusions®. Delivering a wide array of features and surface finishes, Taber’s microextrusions provide an additional design alternative at machined tolerances.

Follow Taber Extrusions

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/8843183/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/taberextrusions/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/taberextrusions

Interested in becoming a part of the Taber Team?  Submit your resume to careers@taberextrusions.com.

17 07, 2018

Infrastructure Applications of 6xxx Series Aluminum Alloys

2018-07-18T16:49:28+00:00July 17th, 2018|

It is estimated that 56,000+ bridges are structurally deficient in America with an estimated $123 billion in rehab needed. The solution? The 6xxx Series Aluminum Alloys. Not only can they be used for emergency repairs but they can provide a long-term solution to this infrastructure problem with minimal maintenance required.Let us review what sets this alloy apart, its advantages, and the types of projects the alloy is best suited for.

What is an aluminum alloy?  

Aluminum alloys are created by taking aluminum and adding elements, creating chemical compositions with enhanced properties. Once created, these compositions receive a 4-digit number with the first digit signifying a general series that characterizes its main alloying elements.

What does it mean when an alloy is a part of the 6xxx series

The main agents in the 6xxx series are silicon and magnesium in order to form magnesium silicide within the alloy. Alloy 6061 is the most commonly used of the series, typically used in truck and marine frames.

What are the advantages of the 6xxx aluminum alloys?

  • High Corrosion Resistance – 6xxx series aluminums can withstand abrasion, keeping their strength and durability in a variety of environments. This is one of the appeals to using it in infrastructure and architectural projects that hope to create structures with the intent of lasting decades. Whether its receiving harsh sunlight in the Nevada desert or nearly year round rain in Seattle, the alloy is able to hold up.
  • Extrudablitity – A unique feature of the 6xxx series is its extrudability. The ability to make specific, extruded parts from the alloy is another factor in why architectural and infrastructure members use this alloy. They typically require unusual, high-strength components and the power of extruded of 6xxx series is its ‘place-metal-where-you-need-it’ flexibility.
  • Heat treatable, weldable, flexible – 6061 is a highly weldable alloy, using tungsten insert gas welding or metal inert gas welding. After welding, the properties near the weld are those of 6061-O (a loss of strength of around 80%). However, MIG and TIG welded material can be heat treated again to bring the material back to the pre-welding temper. Another option may be Friction Stir Welding (FSW). With FSW, the profiles are joined together through the use of a specialized rotary machine tool. Although the material is heated and joined together through friction, the overall heat applied to the material is much lower and of shorter duration than MIG or TIG welding and the heat affected zone is much less and retains most of the original strength.

What are the applications of the 6xxx Series Aluminum Alloys?

It is this combination of advantages that make 6xxx Series Aluminum Alloys prime candidates for architectural and infrastructure projects. Such projects include:

  • Bridges or aluminum bridge decking: Extruded aluminums can be used to build traditional bridges or bridge decks can be pre-built in a modular fashion and moved to bridge sites. This method can limit the amount of time that bridges are under construction and save money in the long run.
  • Roof Structures: Typically implemented for arenas and gymnasiums, the 6063 or 6061 extruded tubes are used in large scale roofs with 5xxx alloy sheets covering them.
  • Pipelines: Because of their high corrosion resistance the 6xxx series is great for pipeline systems that have possibly acidic or dangerous materials flowing through them.
  • Automotive: Whether for a car, motorcycle, bus, or train, the 6xxx series is often used in the automotive industry for its high dent resistance and durability.

Taber Extrusions recognizes the hard work and precise engineering required for large-scale infrastructure projects. Capable of producing very large aluminum shapes with our exclusive 10” x 28” rectangular container along with our 16” and 20” round containers, we canconsistentlysupply our customers with some of the widest, most complex multi-void hollows in the industry. Taber produces their 6xxx series alloys in-house, and our recent investments in our casting and fabrication capabilities have poised Taber to be a great fit for any of your architectural and infrastructure needs… and a reliable partner for all aspects of your project.

Recent upgrades to our aluminum cast house and aluminum fabrication capabilities have put Taber in the perfect position to do just that. Check out our video on Aluminum Extrusions for Infrastructure Projects.

To learn more about how we can be of service visit: https://taberextrusions.com/

For inquires or quotes visit: https://taberextrusions.com/contact-us/

Follow Taber Extrusions

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/8843183/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/taberextrusions/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/taberextrusions

Interested in becoming a part of the Taber Team?  Submit your resume to careers@taberextrusions.com.

5 07, 2018

Marine Applications of 5xxx Series Aluminum Alloys

2018-07-05T21:24:40+00:00July 5th, 2018|

The applications of the 5xxx series aluminum alloys range from shipping containers to their most prolific application, boats. Whether building a recreational boat, commercial ship, or naval vessel, the advantages that the 5xxx series of aluminum alloy have, make it the premier building material for anything marine related. Before we ‘dive’ into the specific advantages of the 5xxx series and it applications, lets break down what aluminum alloys are and what sets the 5xxx series apart.

What is an aluminum alloy and what does it mean when an alloy is considered part of the 5xxx series?

Simply, an aluminum alloy is created by adding elements to pure aluminum, creating a chemical composition that has enhanced properties (typically to increase strength). Once these compositions are created they are assigned a 4-digit number where the first digit signifies a general series that characterizes its main alloying elements. For the 5xxx series, its main agent is magnesium which gives the alloy high strength as well as good weld ability amongst other things.

What are the advantages of 5xxx aluminum alloys?

  • Weight Saving: By using 5xxx aluminum alloy, structures save an average of 55 to 67% of their weight. With comparable strength to mild steel, the alloy’s ability to decrease a structures weight can be hugely beneficial, especially for marine vessels. By saving weight the boats can increase payload, haul more equipment, and lower the amount of power required to power the boat.
  • Weld ability: With weld yield strengths of 100 to 200 MPa, the 5xxx series have good weld ductility without post weld heat treatments.
  • Corrosion resistance: The 5xxx series has lower resistance to corrosion making it ideal for any structure that will be coming in contact with water or chemicals. Through a 10-year seawater test, the tensile strength of the alloy showed reductions of only 2 to 5%.

What are the marine applications of 5xxx Series Aluminum Alloys?

  • Pleasure Boats: Made from both 5xxx and 6xxx series aluminum alloys, pleasure boats utilize the alloys ease of fabrication, corrosion resistance, and cost effectiveness for building their hull or other equipment.
  • Commercial ships: Many passenger vessels utilize the 5xxx series for both superstructures and equipment; ranging from 1000 to 2000 tons per ship. Since for many ocean liners appearance is important, the structures are painted but aluminum allows for a 50% longer time frame till repainting.
  • Naval Vessels: Each year, 6000 tons of aluminum is used on destroyers. Within the past decade, 5456 plate and extrusions have become the standard for the welded deckhouse structures of destroyers. The weight saving ability of the 5xxx series allows the ship to maintain stability with its narrow hull that is needed to reach high speeds. Beyond the main structure, the alloy can also be employed for a variety of equipment including doors, windows, gratings, lockers, bunks, etc.

It is the use of the aluminum alloys that has allowed the marine industry to undergo a technological revolution. While the aluminum may have an initial cost premium, its ability to create lighter ships with lower maintenance costs means that the ship will be a worthwhile investment over the course of its life. And though boats may not be the first thing you think of when discussing the application of an aluminum alloy, the 5xxx series aluminum alloy has transformed the marine industry for the better.

22 06, 2018

Medical Microextrusions | Process, Benefits, and Examples

2018-06-22T22:04:25+00:00June 22nd, 2018|

medical microextrusions

Advancements in medical microextrusions technology in recent years have allowed manufacturers to create high quality products for the world of medical OEMs. With a range of dimensions that can reach as small as 0.024 in., OD with up to 6 lumens, and an ID range that can reach 0.003, it’s no surprise that many OEMs are turning to companies like Taber Extrusions that can provide products within these parameters. (Source: medicaldesignbriefs.com)

In fact, micro-sized medical components are quickly becoming crucial to modern hospital safety and cost-efficiency. Whether it be for micro-tubing or micro sized components, the microextrusion process provides a number of benefits to engineers, OEMs, and patients.

In the quest to create higher quality medical devices, companies are looking to enhance existing products (including catheters and precise flow restrictors) through miniaturization, while ultimately reducing the costs of production.

Medical products that utilize microextrusion technology overwhelmingly support cardio-and-neurovascular procedures, drug delivery, IV procedures, and other procedures that require work on a micro level.

By minimizing the impact of invasive procedures, the medical industry can reduce complications, make procedures faster and more efficient, and ultimately reduce patient in-time and overall healthcare costs.

WHAT’S THE MICROEXTRUSION PROCESS LIKE?

Manufacturing the miniature components used in a medical microextrusion device poses a unique challenge for microextrusion providers. These components cannot be created using conventional extrusion machinery. Instead, they require precise, state-of-the-art equipment that allows for a high degree of precision and control over the process, as well as Engineers and technicians that possess deep knowledge of both the material and the process itself.

However, at its core, the process is similar to that of regular extrusion.

The material is either pushed forward (direct) or pulled through (indirect) a die orifice to create the shape required. Unlike macro-level extrusions, microextrusions are extruded at a very slow rate to maintain the physical properties of materials that are often delicate.

Done properly, microextrusions can create end products that have complex cross sections and preserved chemical properties.

BENEFITS TO OEMs

Lower Time-to-Market

In years previous, OEM’s requests for medical products would require them to re-outfit their existing extrusion machines, which would take more time and far less efficient. With many manufacturers outfitting themselves with microextrusion machinery, the time required to create the product is drastically reduced.

Lower Costs

As stated above, microextrusions can achieve their desired performance at fractions of the cost, due to the lower cost in materials that are used. As the development of the technology continues to improve, so to do the devices that are used in tandem with them. (i.e fibre optic cable, sensors, stints, etc.)

Psychological benefit to patients

A patient’s positive mental state can be a great asset to their recovery. Waning are the days of large, invasive medical devices that can cause patients discomfort. Smaller, less intrusive devices can go a long way. (source: Medical Plastic News)

POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS

  • Infant/paediatric care
  • Heart leads
  • Neurological
  • Vascular Surgery
  • Catheters
  • Radiology
  • Urology
  • Oncology

About Taber Extrusions

Founded in 1973, Taber Extrusions originally pioneered a process for extruding rectangular billet which enables the company to extrude solid profiles up to 31 inches wide or hollows up to 29 inches. Taber expanded with the purchase of an extrusion facility in Gulfport, MS in 1995 which houses a new state of the art cast house, two additional presses, and a fabrication area that has been expanded multiple times. Taber continues to extrude billet in a wide range of alloys. and sizes.

Taber Extrusions has recently purchased the Exact Manufacturing division of Lou-Rich, Inc. which will now expand Taber’s capabilities to include ultra-precision aluminum extrusions®.

Today, Taber Extrusions is proud to announce expanded capabilities to include aluminum ultra-precision extrusions®.

Follow Taber Extrusions

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/8843183/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/taberextrusions/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/taberextrusions

Interested in becoming a part of the Taber Team?  Submit your resume to careers@taberextrusions.com.

24 05, 2018

Aluminum Extruders Engaging New Generation of Frigate Builders and Defense Contractors

2018-05-24T18:09:11+00:00May 24th, 2018|

The U.S. Navy is prepared to spend a generous amount in order to meet its ambitious specifications list as it prioritizes its FFG(X) program.  Recently, the U.S. Navy  announced they are willing to spend roughly $1B per ship, which should buy a very capable surface combatant. With this news, aluminum extrusion manufacturers are eager to provide extrusions for selected frigate designers/builders.

Read all about this and the requirements set by the Navy for the FFG(X) in this recent article by Tyler Rogoway of The Drive, which says “Defense contractors from around the globe are seeing this program as a rare opportunity to get a foothold in shipbuilding for the U.S. Navy, and multiple existing foreign designs could potentially be adapted for the Navy’s use. This is in addition to well-established domestic vendors that will be competing for the opportunity with their own designs as well. Supposedly about eight designs are being looked at by the Navy, all of which were submitted following the service’s initial RFP that was released last year.”

“This is an effort to get the design right up front,” Rear Adm. Ronald Boxall, The Navy’s surface warfare director said in an interview with Defense News. “We’re looking to have a dialogue with industry to get the most capability for the best price…. we want to see what industry comes back with. From there we’ll lock it down and go into the detailed design and construction phase and we can get this thing out by 2020.”

Who are the companies that have been contracted by the Navy to compete for the frigate bid?

  • Huntington Ingalls Industries, Pascagoula, Mississippi
  • Lockheed Martin Corp., Rotary and Mission Systems, Liverpool, New York
  • Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., Fort Worth, Texas
  • Detyens Shipyards Inc., North Charleston, South Carolina
  • Austal USA LLC, Mobile, Alabama
  • Lockheed Martin Inc., Baltimore, Maryland
  • Marinette Marine Corp., dba as Fincantieri Marinette Marine, Marinette, Wisconsin
  • General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine
  • Nexagen Networks Inc., Marlboro, New Jersey
  • Adept Process Services Inc., National City, California

Aluminum extrusions have played a part in military and defense industries for a long time, and known for their contribution to the U.S. Navy’s the Littoral Combat Ships.  The LCS are agile and flexible surface combatants which operate close to shore, reconfigurable for various duties from special operations, maritime intercept, anti-submarine warfare, and reconnaissance. The Aluminum Extruders Council explains, “With design criteria stressing agility, it’s not surprising that extruded components, with their high strength and light weight, play an important role in the LCS program. Among other applications, truss sections, joined with friction stir welding, are used for decking, and T-sections, again joined via friction stir, are incorporated in the hull and superstructure.”

It will be exciting to see which ship will become the U.S. Navy’s next frigate, and what 2020 will bring.

About Taber Extrusions

Founded in 1973, Taber Extrusions originally pioneered a process for extruding rectangular billet which enables the company to extrude solid profiles up to 31 inches wide or hollows up to 29 inches. Taber expanded with the purchase of an extrusion facility in Gulfport, MS in 1995 which houses a cast house, two additional presses, and a fabrication area that has been expanded multiple times. Taber continues to extrude billet in a wide range of alloys and sizes, and has diversified its markets beyond military since its inception to include aerospace, automotive, marine, infrastructure, and sporting goods, among many others. For these markets, the company supplies cast and extruded products in a variety of soft and hard alloys. Today, Taber Extrusions is proud to announce the launch expanded capabilities to include aluminum micro-extrusions.

If you have any questions please visit taberextrusions.com or contact one of Taber’s Regional Sales Managers. Taber Extrusions is committed to continue their legacy by saving clients time and money with custom aluminum shapes extruded with precision and the full range of aluminum alloys.

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